Wayland Partnership News August 2017

The Wayland Partnership promotes the Economic, Social, Cultural and Environmental Well-being of all who live and work in Wayland.

Wayland Partnership, Wayland House, Watton, IP25 6AR 1 Registered Charity No. 1081310: Company No. 3869712 Contents

Page 2 Contents: Introduction

Page 3 Introductions

Page 4 Words and Women

Page 5 Growing Together ends with a celebration

Page 6 Business Showcase

Page 7 The Happy Project

Page 8 The Friendly Invasion

Page 9 Watton Photography Challenge. Sports Centre Dog Show

Page 10 The Swashbuckling Pirate Adventure Show (Alex Morley at Melsop Farm)

Page 11 Lavender’s lunch

Page 12 Watton Carnival

Page 13 WWIP Fashion Show by Artichoke for Memory Cafe

Page 14 Events and Workshops in the Gallery

Page 15 Community Events

Page 16 Directions, Contacts, Funders

We were a little disappointed in the response to the Photography Challenge this year but the quality of the photographs both as a part of the challenge and in the wider exhibition is exceptional. First of all there is a collection of immaculate local pictures by last year’s winner Neal Trafankowski; then there are some unique black and white photographs of Jimi Hendrix, rescued and lovingly restored by local photographer, Ricky Brooks and shown for the first time ever in our Gallery. Finally there is a series of pictures that will tug most people’s heartstrings—though a few have been uncomfortable with them. They are images of a prem- ature baby, born almost too early to survive but surviving anyway. They are pictures of love and hope and we are proud to show them in the Gallery.

We are hoping that once again the sun will shine on the Wayland Show and that people will come in their tens of thousands to enjoy the variety, scope and fun of the Show.

#welovewayland #workingtogetherforwayland

Wayland Partnership, Wayland House, Watton, Norfolk IP25 6AR 2 Registered Charity No. 1081310: Company No. 3869712 Charlotte & Richard

Hello, I'm Charlotte and I'm the new administration assistant at Wayland Part- nership.

I moved to Watton 3 and a half years ago with my parents from Bedfordshire and haven't looked back since. I fell in love with Norfolk and its wildlife from having holidays here, although I never saw much of Breckland as we always travelled through it to the coast. I feel that Watton welcomed my family and me with open arms and I helped out at Wayland House when I was looking for work in the first few months of moving here. After 3 years since the last time I sat in reception, I'm back but now as a permanent fixture. It is so rewarding being able to serve the Partnership and the community, especially alongside such wonderful colleagues as Jan, Richard, Jean and the volunteers.

On weekends I like to go to various conventions and events for TV shows, films, books and Japanese culture. I get to meet with friends I've made at these events from all over the continent as well as my close friends from Bedfordshire. Wherever they take me it is always nice to come home to Norfolk.

I look forward to being here many years and learning even more about Wayland and the people who live here.

Hello everyone, I’m the new Development Manager at Wayland House. A bit about me: I’ve spent my career so far working in the public and voluntary sectors, starting in local government in Northumberland before moving to a central government depart- ment in London, and then on to a couple of national charities via a research project in east Africa. I’ve travelled a lot, and spent a year living in southern Malawi where I met my partner, Charlie Brown (her name requires it to be perennially written in full). We moved to Watton a year ago, and in that time the most wonderful thing I’ve found about Wayland is its people. I grew up on a crowded estate in a large town of over 100,000 people, and I don’t think my neighbour said two words to me in twenty-one years. Within three minutes of arriving in Watton, we were reading welcome cards from our new neighbours, receiving invitations for cups of tea, and being handed enormous boxes of duck eggs.

In the context of such a friendly and welcoming people, the existence of the Wayland Partnership was not a surprise to me. What was a surprise, however, was the scope and diversity of its projects and its ambition. There is so much going on, from the exhibitions and workshops in the Dragonfly Gallery to the projects targeting social isolation and environmental sustainability. It is clear that the organisation operates so effectively only because of the commitment of the Wayland community and their desire to see our area develop and thrive. It is a remarkable place, and I couldn’t be prouder to be working here

Wayland Partnership, Wayland House, Watton, Norfolk IP25 6AR 3 Registered Charity No. 1081310: Company No. 3869712 Hello, We need your help.

Words And Women is at a crucial stage of its development. It’s been in existence for 6 years and is gaining in reputation and pro- file and, as usual, we’re working hard to de- velop its activities to ensure its continued success. We have great plans for 2018: the Year of Publishing Women and the Cen- tenary of Women’s Suffrage in the UK. But we need your help to realise these plans.

Words And Women is run by Bel and Lynne in their spare time and entirely voluntarily. The organisation has no core funds and we are in need of the most basic of basics in order to continue with our valuable work. We would like to be able to run a virtual office – which means we could have a year-round postal address for correspondence and access to meeting rooms – and to have a brand new website which will be easier for you to use and which will enable us to distribute news, tickets and publications quickly and efficiently. A new website is particularly important for us because we can’t imagine being able to run our writing competi- tions and our 2018 plans via blogger. Future spon- sorship is also dependent on us having a more adapta- ble and attractive website.

We need to raise £3,500 by the end of September 2017 to fund these important changes, and we’re hoping you can help us by offering small donations of £5 and £25. Everybody who donates will receive a little something from us by way of a big thank you! So please become a SUPPORTER for £5 or become a SUPER SUPPORT- ER for £25,

Go to the website to see how to donate http://wordsandwomennorwich.blogspot.co.uk/p/we-need-your-help.html

Note In 2016 Words and Women ran a creative writing project for Women in , Gorleston and Watton. Participants met weekly over the six week project and looked at a variety of writing styles. The lively and varies writing which resulted was published in a lovely little book—Gullstones and Cuckoos which is available from the Dragonfly Gallery at Wayland House.

Wayland Partnership, Wayland House, Watton, Norfolk IP25 6AR 4 Registered Charity No. 1081310: Company No. 3869712 REGIONAL RECOGNITION FOR LOCAL PROJECT The Wayland Partnership Growing Together Project comes to

a close at the end of July after a truly amazing 12 month run. Thanks must go to the People’s Post Code Lottery for funding, and the Wayland Partnership for the vision of an environmen- tal initiative for the area. Almost 600 people have been in- volved across community projects and the highly successful Acorn Fair held in January. July 18th saw Trevor Bunce and I attending the prestigious Nor- folk Biodiversity Awards which each year acknowledges and celebrates voluntary efforts to improve wildlife, and encour- ages greater community engagement with conservation. The Wells Cole Community Project received a Highly Commended award and was runner up to Sprowston Town Council. This well-deserved award for the people of Saham was the ‘icing on the cake’ for the Growing Together Project which has re- invigorated and breathed new life into many existing ‘Millennium’ Projects in our Wayland Villages. We have also worked in part- nership with Norfolk Wildlife Trust on their County Wildlife Action Plan, churchyard wildflower surveys, and created from scratch a wildlife area for the community of Saham Toney. Much has been achieved for wildlife and conservation in Watton and the Wayland area during this project. There has been no shortage of commitment, enthusiasm, and fun for all involved with communities and our treasured wildlife all coming out win- ners. Sustainability and continuity are now the watch words for all our projects as I step aside as Outreach Worker. My key objective was to ‘set a few seed’s and hope that giant Oaks from little acorns might grow and flourish, indeed they have.

ZOOTASTIC!

That was the verdict from Mr Trevor Bunce of Saham Toney following his recent Zoo Experience Day at Banham Zoo. Tre- vor was the very lucky winner of this raffle prize at the Way- land Partnership ‘Growing Together Project’ Acorn Fair, held at the Queen’s Hall in January. This conservation themed event, a first for the Wayland Area, was a huge success and the prize was chosen because of the conservation programme run by the zoo. As you can see from the photograph Trevor got very ‘up close and personal’ with the giraffes.

Wayland Partnership, Wayland House, Watton, Norfolk IP25 6AR 5 Registered Charity No. 1081310: Company No. 3869712 Booking forms are coming in steadily for this event. Any small Business wanting to join us should contact [email protected] or send in their form if they already have oneas soon as possible as spaces are limited

Wayland Partnership, Wayland House, Watton, Norfolk IP25 6AR 6 Registered Charity No. 1081310: Company No. 3869712 The HAPPY Project We are now into the school summer holidays and as I write I see it has just been raining again. It does seem such a pity that we have had all that lovely weather whilst the children have been in school and now they and their teachers have a break from the daily grind in the halls of learning and all we have had for the past week in our part of Norfolk is rain. So, what has The HAPPY Project been up to? We had a lovely time at the Ashill Family Art and Craft Morning on the second Saturday in July. The chil- dren enjoyed painting pebbles and decorating them with glitter. We tried leaf printing and string painting too. As ever, the children enjoyed making models from the boxes that Harrison and his Mum had been saving. I had purchased some special stickers as a treat, they were so popular and graced the sun visors beautifully. The children were very busy all morning trying out the different activities provided, it is such a joy to be a part of this group. I am in the process of investigating plans for a couple of new ventures, one is the possibility of a knitters group in which would be held at The Grange. I need to find out a little more about it before I tell you more, so watch this space for further information. The second group is for people who are carers, I need to liaise further with other carers groups to ensure that The Project would not be re-inventing any wheels. It is all very exciting stuff! Unfortunately, I need to report that Lyn and Steve who have been carrying out a sterling job of co- ordinating the WASPS social group have decided not to continue any more, due to lack of support from members. They will still be part of The HAPPY Project Steering Group and we will value their ongoing in- put. I would like to thank them both for their perseverance in their attempts to attract members to their group, but it would seem that the group isn’t what the population of Watton wants at this time. The Games group continues in the Library on a Friday from 1:30 to 3:30; do come and support it and en- joy a game or two of dominoes or see if you fancy a game of chess. It is all there waiting for you. If you have any spare time and would like help with any of The Project activities you could contact me on 01953 880235 or [email protected]

The HAPPY Project will be at The Wayland Show in the Health and Well-being Marquee; come and see us there and have a chat about the things we get up to. You might fancy making something from the craft activities we will have, nothing too taxing and very therapeutic.

Wayland Partnership, Wayland House, Watton, Norfolk IP25 6AR 7 Registered Charity No. 1081310: Company No. 3869712 The Friendly Invasion Some months ago the Eastern Daily Press reported that ‘Visit ’ had received funding for a project celebrating the many Americans who were based in East Anglia during WWII called ‘The Friendly Invasion’; this will encourage the children and grandchildren of American WWII veterans to come to East Anglia to explore the area where their family members served. It is an exciting project, (http://www.visiteastofengland.com/friendly-invasion/) but it will be impossible to cover all the airfields large and small, significant and less significant across the whole region and Watton does not feature at the moment, but thinking about the project has reminded me of a very in- teresting and rewarding time of Ken’s amd my life. During WWII there were at one point as many as 7,500 Americans based at Watton, or across the airfield, which they constructed at on the site where the prison now stands. The 3rd Strategic Air Depot was the larger of the two groups and their purpose was to pro- vide engineering support for the 8th Air Force and many crippled air- craft landed at Watton to be repaired by them. Tommy Land was the Chief Test pilot; shown here after the war, returning to a rescue site in . In July 1944 the American 25th Bomb Group (reconnaissance) commenced opera- tions; these were mainly to do with weather and photo reconnaissance, but also some O.S.S. (secret service) missions supporting the resistance organisations in Eu- rope. The pilots in the 25th BG had all flown a full programme of missions and were due for home leave. But they volunteered for this additional posting –in many cases because it gave them the opportunity to fly the Mosquito. Pictured is Bob (Paddy) Walker who finally returned to the States just one month after his 21st birthday. After the War, the Americans returned to their careers and their lives but in the 70’s began to look back to their wartime experience. They formed Associations and planned reunions, making contact with us as local people. Over the next many years, reunions were held in Norfolk one year and in a different US city in the next. While in Norfolk the veterans visited a wide range of tourist destinations but the tours always included a visit to Wayland, a commemorative service at Watton, Griston or —the churches they attended during the war, wreath laying at the memorials at Watton and Griston once, they had been erected and dedicated, and afternoon tea with local people—a tradition that forged many lasting friendships. Sadly few of either the RAF or American veterans are left now, but they live on in the hearts of their families and all those who remember them. There is not much except memories left at the former RAF base at Watton. There are buildings intact on the North side and the RAF and 25 Bomb Group Memorials remain on guard at what was the main gate, where we lay poppy wreaths each year. However if the families of veterans, British or American, should want to step in the footsteps of their forbears, they are assured of the warmest of welcomes here in Wayland Wayland Partnership, Wayland House, Watton, Norfolk IP25 6AR 8 Registered Charity No. 1081310: Company No. 3869712 Wayland Partnership, Wayland House, Watton, Norfolk IP25 6AR 9 Registered Charity No. 1081310: Company No. 3869712 Wayland Partnership, Wayland House, Watton, Norfolk IP25 6AR 10 Registered Charity No. 1081310: Company No. 3869712 Wayland Partnership, Wayland House, Watton, Norfolk IP25 6AR 11 Registered Charity No. 1081310: Company No. 3869712

Wayland Partnership, Wayland House, Watton, Norfolk IP25 6AR 12 Registered Charity No. 1081310: Company No. 3869712 Wayland Partnership, Wayland House, Watton, Norfolk IP25 6AR 13 Registered Charity No. 1081310: Company No. 3869712 Exhibitions and Events in the Dragonfly Gallery, Wayland House 2017

February 25th 10.00 Launch of 2017 season February 25th to March 11th ‘Once Upon a Time’ Wayland Book Week March 7th 10.30-12.30 Calligraphy Demonstration with Christine Robinson April 1st to April 15th Artists Exhibition April 29th to May 13th The World of Christine Watson Exhibition May 19th – 21st Norfolk Open Studios Breckland Taster Exhibition New Horizons (Preview May 19th 7.00pm) June 3rd to 17th The Tiffey Valley Painters Exhibition June 17th Launch of Wayland Photography Challenge July 1st to July 15th Wayland Artists Show (replaces Liz Reed who is unwell) July 27th to August 31st Photography Challenge Wonderful Wayland Exhibition Including People’s Vote Sept 16th to Sept. 30th Helena Anderson Children of the World Exhibition October 14th to October 28th Marie Dawe & Sue Welfare Looking East –A Seasonal Exploration November 4th to 18th Super Smashing Grout Mosaic Exhibition Nov. 25th to Dec 20th “Its beginning to look a lot like Christmas (Christmas Arts and Crafts Exhibition)

Creative Workshops at Wayland House 2017 Feb. 25th 10.00 – 4.00 Creative/Life Writing with Author & Artist Sue Welfare March 4th 2.00-5.00 Poetry/Creative Prose with Heidi Williamson March 11th 10.00-4.00 Cartoon/Illustration With Andy Scordelis March 25th 10.00-1.00 Calligraphy Workshop with Christine Robinson April 29th 10.00-4.00 A Taste of India Embroidery with Dilys Harvey May 6th 10.00- 4.00 Stained Glass Workshop with Alby Stained Glass May 20th 10.00-1.00 Calligraphy Workshop with Christine Robinson June 3rd 10.00-1.00 Calligraphy Workshop with Christine Robinson June 10th 10.00-4.00 Calico Garden Embroidery with Dilys Harvey July 8th 10.30-4.00 Silk Painting Workshop with Elizabeth Scott September 23rd 10.00-4.00 Fusing Fabrics Dilys Harvey November 4th 10.00-4.00 Kantha Quilting with Dilys Harvey December 2nd 10.00 – 1.00 Christmas Wreath with Jane Dalton

Wayland Partnership, Wayland House, Watton, Norfolk IP25 6AR 14 Registered Charity No. 1081310: Company No. 3869712 Programme of Watton & Wayland Events 2017 February 15th 5.30 Wayland Chamber Buffet & AGM Broom Hall March 28th 1.00-6.00 Wayland Career and Jobs Fair Queens Hall April 22nd Wayland Show Charity Ball Hall June 11th 12.00 noon Big Lunch Wayland House June 8th to June 10th The Wayland Festival 2017 Thursday, 8th June Afternoon - Perfect Vintage 50s Nostalgia Show Evening - Doug Segal - Comedy Mind Reader Friday, 9th June Afternoon - Rachel Duffield- 40s Cabaret Evening - Bella Musica with Dale Bullimore Saturday 10th June Morning - Alex Clown. Children’s Show Afternoon-Four4Jazz Evening - Queen Tribute Band - Queens Hall July 7th – 10th Blossom & Yarn – 7 Days & Beyond. Knitting and Flower Festival across 6 Wayland Churches August 6th Wayland Show Brandon Rd. Watton from 10.00am. Gates open 10.00am. Tickets: online £10.00 Children £4.00 Family £25.00 At Gate £15.00/ £5.00/ £35.00 September 3rd Lavender’s Lunch College Farm Thompson September 3rd Watton Carnival Watton High Street September 13th Business Showcase 5.00-8.00 October 17th Tourism Conference 10.00 – 4.00 October 28th Watton Fireworks - Brandon Rd. Show Ground November 25rd Small Business Saturday – Watton High Street December 3rd Watton Festive Market – Watton High Street December 26th to 31st Aladdin – Traditional Pantomime Melsop Farm Park

Wayland Partnership, Wayland House, Watton, Norfolk IP25 6AR 15 Registered Charity No. 1081310: Company No. 3869712

Contact us: Admin Assistant Development Manager Richard Otterway Charlotte Howard 01953 880204 01953 880205 [email protected] [email protected]

Visitor Centre Tourism & Gallery HAPPY Project Development Manager Jean Williams or duty Steward Outreach Worker 01953 880212 01953 880235 [email protected]

Trustees All other enquiries to Jan Godfrey (Chair) Reception: 01953 880202 01953 883915 [email protected] Heritage Bronwen Tyler 01953 483741 Tourism Websites: Katharine Wolstenholme www.wayland.org.uk Building & Policy Www.waylanddragonflygallery.co.uk Roger Harrold Www.visitwayland.co.uk

Wayland Partnership, Wayland House, Watton, Norfolk IP25 6AR 16 Registered Charity No. 1081310: Company No. 3869712